Q70
Indian PolityCentre-State Relations & Fiscal Federalism
Parliamentary authorization is necessary prior to expenditure from
- a.the Public Accounts of India
- b.the Consolidated Fund of India
- c.the Contingency Fund of India
- d.None of the above
Answer: (B) the Consolidated Fund of India
All revenues, loans raised and loan repayments received by the Union form the Consolidated Fund of India (Article 266(1)), and no money can be withdrawn from it except under an Appropriation Act passed by Parliament (Article 114). The Public Account (Article 266(2)) holds money such as provident funds and small savings, for which the government acts as banker; payments from it need no parliamentary appropriation. The Contingency Fund (Article 267) is placed at the President's disposal to meet unforeseen expenditure, and Parliament's approval is obtained afterwards. Expenditure "charged" on the Consolidated Fund, such as the salaries of the President and judges, is discussed but not voted.